Mets first baseman makes team history, joins rare company amid uncertain future
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso hasn't let rumors regarding his future in New York slow him down at the plate.
With a runner on first and no outs in the bottom of the third inning Sunday, Alonso launched a 1-2 pitch from Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby 385 feet into the left field bleachers for No. 40 on the season.
He became the first player in Mets franchise history to have three seasons with 40-plus home runs and owns three of the franchises' six 40-plus home run seasons.
And if blasting No. 40 wasn't enough, he would add another in the bottom of the seventh inning. The solo shot was No. 41 on the season and moved him three behind Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson for the MLB lead.
He joined Hall-of-Famers in outfielder Ralph Kiner and third baseman Eddie Mathews, as well as former MVPs first baseman Albert Pujols and first baseman Ryan Howard as the only big leaguers with three 40-home run seasons over their first five seasons.
Slashing .225/.327/.525 with 41 home runs and 100 RBI, he sits 13 home runs away from 200 in his career and 65 away from a tie with former Mets outfielder Darryl Strawberry for first on the Mets all-time home run list.
Such a crucial part of the Mets' success, they would be crazy to deal the 28-year-old first baseman unless they plan to go full rebuild mode and ship out other key players like shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Brandon Nimmo.
If Alonso does indeed stick around after this upcoming offseason, he will surely be the Mets' all-time leader after averaging over 42 home runs a season during his four full seasons with the club.
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